New here

[EZmoney]

I first became interested in tomahawks almost 20 years ago. I really liked the tactical hawks from rmj forge, but they were too expensive, so I decided to make my own. I am not a blacksmith and have never used a forge. I have years of experience as a millwright/welder/metal fabrication. I made the one on the right, and the other one is an Estwing axe that I modified. I haven't taken care of that one over the years. I am going to clean the rust off it soon.

I would like a more traditional spike hawk. I really like all the CS mods I have seen here and other places online. I also like the CRKT spike hawks. I might do one of each. I have a few questions. I would like to replace the CS handle with a curly maple handle. I am worried that if I buy a curly maple handle online, it won't fit the eye of the CS hawk. I there a common size for handles where they fit in the eye? Which ones will fit the CS spike hawk, and which ones will fit the CRKT spike hawk? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

[catspa]

First, welcome to BF-ATH. Making your own tools holds a unique kind of satisfaction, doesn’t it?

There are no “standard” eye sizes between mfgrs, although most fall within a certain range. Plan on buying a haft bigger than you need and shaving it to fit.

The more appealing option, at least to me, is carving your own from scratch (preferably from a tree you felled and rived yourself). You don’t have to slip-fit a hawk, many can be hung wedged like a hatchet.

Takes more time and effort, but you’re not limited to somebody else’s idea of “right”.

Parker